Hundreds protest at Staffordshire swim school closure
Dozens of budding swimmers and parents have protested to save a popular swim school in South Staffordshire.
The Penkridge and Codsall Swim School, which runs classes at Penkridge Leisure Centre, Cannock Road, Stafford, and at Codsall Leisure Centre, Elliots Lane, Codsall has been teaching youngsters how to swim for almost 20 years.
The school operates on Saturday mornings in Penkridge and Sunday afternoons in Codsall and provides classes for children of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs.
But the school is to be brought to an end by South Staffordshire District Council which is to run its own classes instead.
More than 200 people have signed a petition against the closure, while dozens protested outside the school on Saturday.
The proposed closure will see manager and teacher Linda Williams lose her job and the school stop its classes. Ms Williams first helped her predecessor Bill Peacock set up the school and took it over when he stepped down.
Ms Williams said: "I'm absolutely devastated. I've taught so many children over the years, and generations of the same family in some cases.
"I've stayed loyal to both centres over the years, when I could have perhaps gone elsewhere to run the school from other facilities, but I haven't done that.
"Now to know that children are not going to have their regular lessons, but council-run lessons, it's really upsetting."
The school has been supported by Penkridge Parish Council which has backed the online petition to save the school. The petition has had 200 signatures.
The petition, launched on Change.org states: "Bill and Linda have turned this into a successful swim school teaching hundreds of local children.
"By successful, we mean teaching young children of all abilities to swim, an essential life-saving skill. We hope to convince the district council of the good that has been achieved in those 20 years and change their decision and allow Linda to continue her great work."
Tony Ward, leisure services manager for South Staffordshire District Council said: "Leisure services will be continuing to operate the delivery of swimming lessons for the people of South Staffordshire and we are working closely with the Swimming Teachers Association to build on our success.
"We've been delivering such programmes for over 40 years and will continue to offer our residents an excellent service and affordable swimming lessons so our residents can learn to love the water and keep active."
To find out more or sign the petition, visit www.change.org and search 'Codsall and Penkridge swim school.'